Sheriff: “Verbal altercation” at Giant Rock leads to gunfire and bullet strikes to OHV
On Sunday, August 31st at approximately 1:00 a.m. the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a shooting near the Giant Rock boulder in Landers. According to the Sheriff’s press release, shortly before 1:00 a.m. the victim said he got into a “verbal altercation” with an unidentified male after stopping near Giant Rock in Landers. After the man departed southbound on Giant Rock Road, the victim says he heard several gunshots behind him and found evidence of “bullet strikes” to the rear of the off-highway vehicle he was towing.
The victim says he believes he was intentionally targeted.
Deputies say that they visited Giant Rock and confirmed there were no injuries reported. Campers in the area said that there were 20 to 30 people present at the time of the incident, but most had left immediately after the gunfire but before deputies arrived.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is actively seeking information from anyone who witnessed the incident or can identify the suspect involved. Anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy Montes De Oca at the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station at (760) 366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or submit information online at www.wetip.com.
